I have long been somewhat of an adrenaline junkie, but I have found nothing more adventurous than following Jesus. As a young boy, my idea of Jesus was quite skewed, leading me to believe christianity was prudent at best, requiring kids to be seen and not heard, manners meant holiness, and proper back posture was astuteness in the name of Jesus. As silly as that may seem, it’s what led me away as a young teenager. Clearly, I had a very narrow understanding of Christianity, but at the time I couldn’t see it and what I did believe was created from a narrow lens that fostered a misunderstanding of the profound gift of life that is revealed in following the ways of Jesus.
In the same way, to bear one another’s burdens is not for the faint of heart. It’s not for the weak, it’s not for the self indulged, and it’s not for personal gain and often misunderstood through our cultural lens and not that of the Bible. To bear one another’s burdens is to step deeply into a radically counter-cultural belief that the best of life often begins in the messiest of situations if they are given to the Lord. Frankly, it will get your heart racing. This is far more than being good samaritans, but a willingness to get messy with those we are in covenant relationships with and leave the results up to God.
Discipleship is foundational to Christianity because relationships are foundational to Christianity. None more so than our relationship with Jesus, but what exactly does it mean to carry one another’s burdens in discipleship community?
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. “. Galatians 6:2
To carry or to bear is our English understanding of bastazō. This word is used multiple times in the Bible, but one interesting passage in the New Testament describes a time when 72 disciples were told to not carry specific items found in Luke 10:4. This passage in Luke describes the anointing and commissioning of the disciples to heal and speak of the coming kingdom of God, but as they were sent out, Jesus instructs them to not bring (carry) a purse, bag, or sandals.” We do not see Jesus saying that these items are not important, but rather this is a relationship building moment to know God as Jehovah-Jireh or “The Lord will provide.” (Gen 22:14)
The Hebrew word "kabed" (כבד) can describe both literal weight and societal gravity, influence, or glory.
Interestingly, "kabed" is also used to describe God's "glory" or manifested presence [1]
This connection between "weight" and "glory" in the Hebrew understanding suggests a deeper significance to burdens. It implies that while difficulties and responsibilities can be heavy, they can also hold importance, even leading to spiritual growth or revealing divine presence. [2]
Romans 15:1 renders a similar charge to what we find in Galatians 6:2 when it reads, “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” “This word bear properly means to ‘lift up,’ to ‘bear away,’ to ‘remove.’ But here it is used in a larger sense; ‘to bear with, to be indulgent to, to endure patiently…” (Barnes’ Notes).
While weak and sickly Christians have a responsibility to participate in their own recuperation, stronger Christians likewise have a responsibility to rescue fallen brethren. James 5:19-20 declares, “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” [3]
Have you ever had hard conversations with someone who may have “wandered off the reservation”? Someone who has fallen in to sin and seems to be blind to their choices or has justified their decisions although they may be contrary to God’s word? Has the conversation happened to you?
I’ve been on both sides of the table, and neither are enjoyable, but the conversations that have birthed from a place of restoration rather than behavior modification have produced life, and life abundantly. Are they enjoyable? No. Is surgery? Never. But the new life that is produced by the surgical hand of a healer provides dividends of new life and by doing so can reveal the divine presence of God. The willingness to come along side or allow someone to come along side us to speak truth, to expose the mess, to walk towards healing and wholeness is the motif of the Exodus story and God’s heart for humanity. We, with unveiled faces, are moving from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18) and the manifested glory of the Lord can be visibly present in our lives and communities through our humble submission to each other as we trust in the Lord as both provider of all our needs and healer of the oppression of sin by carrying each others burdens.
The Hebraic understanding of bearing one another's burdens is deeply rooted in the concept of chesed, translated as loving-kindness or steadfast love. This term encompasses a commitment to act in love and mercy, reflecting the covenantal nature of God's relationship with His people. In the context of community, this means that when we bear one another’s burdens, we are engaging in a sacred act that mirrors God’s own unwavering commitment to us. This act of shared responsibility is not only a fulfillment of a command but also a pathway to deeper joy and peace.
Or do you have contempt for the wealth of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, and yet do not know that God’s kindness leads you to repentance? Romans 2:4
In the upside down kingdom of God, the values of self-sacrifice and covenantal relationships stand in stark contrast to the self-motivated and self-driven ways of the world. The world often promotes individualism and personal gain, where the burdens of others may be seen as inconveniences or distractions. However, the Kingdom of Heaven calls us to a radically different approach: one that prioritizes the needs of others above our own. Jesus exemplified this selflessness perfectly, laying down His life for humanity. In doing so, He demonstrated that true joy and peace are found not in the accumulation of personal accolades or possessions, but in the willingness to invest in the lives of others.
I have had countless conversations with people who simply don't want to discuss their challenges, questions, doubts, or failures because they don't want to be a burden, yet what we don't often see is how suffering in solitude only worsens the relationships around us and creates more chaos and confusion.
To bear one another's burdens is to compassionately partner with others in their struggles, fears, and hardships. This partnership acknowledges that we are not isolated beings navigating life alone; rather, we are interconnected, each of us carrying our own burdens while also participating in the burdens of others. Such a perspective fosters community and belonging, where individuals feel seen, heard, and valued. It creates a safe space for vulnerability and healing, where transparency allows for mutual support and encouragement. This part of discipleship sounds amazing, but the process done well is flat out difficult.
This understanding of reciprocity in relationships also highlights the dance of grace that characterizes our relationship with God. Grace is not a one-way street; it is a flowing exchange that invites us into a dynamic interaction with the Divine. When we extend grace to others by bearing their burdens, we become conduits of God's love and mercy. In turn, we experience the outpouring of His grace in our own lives, leading to a richer understanding of joy and peace that transcends mere happiness.
The act of bearing burdens is transformative. It fosters healing not only for the one receiving support but also for the one offering it. As we engage in this reciprocal dance of grace, we find ourselves growing in compassion, empathy, and understanding. We begin to see the world through the lens of shared humanity, recognizing that every person’s struggle is a reflection of our collective journey.
Moreover, this process of bearing burdens aligns with God's heart for creation. By engaging in acts of solidarity and support, we participate in the divine mission of fostering wholeness and healing. This is not limited to individual relationships; it extends to our communities, societies, and the world at large. As we embody the principles of the Kingdom—self-sacrifice, love, and service—we contribute to a larger narrative of redemption that God is writing throughout history.
In the Hebraic view, the struggles of life are part of the process of God’s grace. I am weak because all men are weak. I falter because every human heart falters. If I were the perfect person that I pretend to be, I would not need God and I would not need you. When Paul tells us to bear each other’s burdens, he is advocating a view of life as it is, filled with faults and frustrations.
Is this what we are missing? Has the grandious sales pitch of the American dream distorted the beauty found in the messes of the journey? Do we want the spiritual equivalent of the house, pool, family, 401k, investment portfolio, and legacy without the cultivating it takes to allow healing and wholeness to bear fruit?
Is this what our churches are missing? Does our church culture teach and understand bearing each other’s burdens because it/we doesn’t understand covenant shepherding? Do we assume our pastors theology is clear and accurate according to the culture, language, and overall lens of the scriptures?
As we learn to walk in this way, we become instruments of healing and agents of change, reflecting the heart of our Creator in a world that desperately needs His love.
I pray we step boldly and humbly into learning, trusting, and living out the process of bearing one another’s burdens so through us, the healing power of Jesus becomes more and more evident in our lives and in this world.
To God be the glory…
Want to learn more?
To learn more about covenant discipleship and the pathway to living out communal relationships the way we see expressed in the Bible and taught by Jesus, check out “This is the Way of Covenant Discipleship” with the link listed below.
https://www.abarim-publications.com/DictionaryG/b/b-a-r-o-sfin.html#:~:text=The%20word%20barony%20initially%20described,of%20our%20otherwise%20invisible%20God.
https://www.abarim-publications.com/DictionaryG/b/b-a-r-o-sfin.html#:~:text=The%20word%20barony%20initially%20described,of%20our%20otherwise%20invisible%20God.
4. This is the Way of Covenant Discipleship – CrossLink Publishing
